Real-time full field laser Doppler imaging

Abstract

We present a full field laser Doppler imaging instrument that enables real-time in vivo assessment of blood flow in dermal tissue and skin. The instrument monitors the blood perfusion in an area of about 50cm2 with 480 x 480 pixels per frame at a rate of 12-14 frames per second. Smaller frames can be monitored at much higher frame rates. We recorded the microcirculation in healthy skin before, during and after arterial occlusion. In initial clinical case studies, we imaged the microcirculation in burned skin and monitored the recovery of blood flow in a skin flap during reconstructive surgery indicating the high potential of LDI for clinical applications. © 2012 American Institute of Physics.